The Old Defender Building

The Chicago Defender was an African American newspaper. The Pullman Porters took it all around the country making it nationally significant. It was not just about Chicago news, it was national news for the African American community.

A block further north on Indiana used to be the old 2nd Ward headquarters; this particular ward held the black vote and became a powerful political force, starting with the election of Oscar DePriest as Chicago’s first black alderman. It was the seat of political power for the African American community, helping them to gain representation in government.